The Guru Granth Sahib

Ritu Naagar Nidhi Singhal Rakshika Juyal Nirvaan Ghosh Richa Singhal

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What is the Granth Sahib? : A brief history

The Guru Granth Sahib is an anthology of prayers and hymns which contain the actual words and verses as uttered by the Sikh Gurus. It consists of 1430 pages and has 5864 verses. Its contents are referred to as bani or gurbani. An individual hymn is a shabad. The Granth was compiled by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1563 1606) The hymns and composition of Guru Nanak and his other predecessors were collected, compiled and scrutinised. He decided to include not only the hymns of the Gurus but also that of other saints. At the invitation of the Guru, followers of different sects, both Hindu and Muslim, came to the Guru and recited the hymns of their teachers. Only those hymns were chosen which echoed sentiments he wanted to inculcate in his own community. After the selections were made, the Guru dictated the hymns to Bhai Gurdas ji. Therefater, it was called the Adi Granth Sahib. Having compiled the Granth, it was placed in the newly- built Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. The first parkash (opening ceremony) was performed in on August 30, 1604. At this time, the Guru bowed before the book, acknowledging the higher authority of the bani to his personal importance and significance as Guru.

 Guru Arjan Dev preferred a martyr's death to saving his life through making alterations in the hymns as required by Emperor Jahangir. He gave his life with the confidence that "The Guru is now always with me" (Guru Arjan, Rag Asa)
The original Granth Sahib passed on from Guru Arjan to Guru Hargobind and then to his grandson, Dhir Mal, who took permanent possession of it. Guru Gobind Singh requested for its return, but he was refused and asked to write his own Granth if he was a real Guru. Therefore, the second version of Guru Granth Sahib was prepared in 1706. At Damdama Sahib, he dictated the entire Granth Sahib from his memory to Bhai Mani Singh ji. It was dictated word by word as it originally was. The Adi Granth was re-edited to the form in which we find it today. The Guru removed some unauthenticated writings , added four hymns in the beginning for evening prayers and several hymns from his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur. Otherwise, the Granth was left as Guru Arjan Dev had wanted it Guru Gobind Singh ended the line of living Sikh Gurus by raising the Adi Granth to the status of permanent Guru.

The Guru Granth Sahib became the embodiment of Divine Light or Jot (Guru) which was passed on to it.

Agia bhai akal ki, tabi chalaio panth Sab sikhan kau hukam hai guru manio granth Guru granth ji manio pargat guran ki deh Ja ka hirada sudh hai khoj sabad men leh From the Timeless One there came the injunction, In accordance with which was established the Panth. To all Sikhs there comes this command: Acknowledge the Granth as Guru, For it is the manifest body of the Masters. Ye whose hearts are pure, Seek Him in the Word. (Ardas)

Role of the Guru Granth Sahib in Sikh Life

In all Gurdwaras and many Sikh homes, the Granth is read every day. No Sikh ceremony is regarded as complete unless in its presence On a daily basis, Sikhs receive a hukam or divine order in the form of a hymn from Granth Sahib. It is the first hymn of the book when it is opened at random. This whole process is called 'Prakash'. Similarly, after the ardas, the Adi Granth is opened at random and a portion is read. This is done daily, with many Sikhs regarding the verses as helpful words from God. This is called vak lao, taking advice. On special occasions, the Granth Sahib is recited non-stop by a string of readers. This is known as an akhand path. It is the highest and the noblest ceremony in Sikhism, and can be performed on any important occasions. After the evening prayers the Guru Granth Sahib is ceremoniously closed and taken to its 'Sukh-Asan', or place of rest.

Ramalaas

Chandni

Granthi

Takkat/ Palki

Chaur

Structure of the Granth Sahib

The Guru Granth Sahib starts with Guru Nanak's composition, Mool Mantar followed by Japji, Rehras (the morning and evening prayer respectively) and Kirtan Sohila, the night prayer. Jap Ji, also called Guru Mantar, was written by Guru Nanak. It occupies about 9 pages and consists of 40 sloks, called pauries of irregular length. Jap Ji is followed by Sodar Rehras, another composition by Guru Nanak, although later on additions were made to it by Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan Dev. Sodar is the yearning of the soul for the door of the house of God. Kirtan Sohila follows Sodar The next portion of the Granth is divided into thirty one sections each according to a particular raga. This portion occupies 1154 pages. However, many people call the pages 'Angs', or body parts, because they believe that Guru Granth Sahib Ji is human.

Significance
It is the first religious book which contains the writings of persons belonging to different communities, castes, and diverse regions of the country. It incorporates and sanctifies the writings of holy men of different faiths. It contains 937 hymns of 36 Hindu saints, Muslim sufis and bards. These hymns cover a period of five centuries (12th 17th century). Regardless of the authors, their words have an equal status as the hymns of the Gurus. Therefore, the language of the Granth is a mixture of almost all the Aryan languages current in India, yet it is written exclusively in Gurmukhi script. Guru Arjan Dev did not believe that there is one particular sacred language in which to pray to God

Music and the Guru Granth Sahib

The Gurus considered divine worship through music the best means of attaining a state of bliss. Therefore, each of the hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib is noted with the melody and rhythm (raga) to which it is to be sung or read. The professional singers 'Ragees' sing 'Keertan', or hymns in praise of God and his Bani There are 31 musical measures (ragas) in the Guru Granth Sahib. Generally speaking, ragas are composed to suit various moods. Some are appropriate to the morning, others to the evening, some to joy, others to grief. Guru Arjan indicated that faith should produce a balanced outlook, tempering both happiness and sadness. The basic concept behind the hymns is that kirtan (sacred music), when sung or listened to with devotion and undivided attention, can link the individual's consciousness with God.

Philosophy of the Granth Sahib

Guru Granth Sahib does not preach any rites or rituals but stresses meditation on the Name of God Salvation can be obtained by means of regular, persistent and disciplined meditation. Most of the hymns are addressed to God and often describe the devotee's condition His aspirations and yearning, his agony in separation and his longing to be with the Lord (similar to Sufism and Bhakti movement) There are no mythological narratives God is described in anthropomorphic terms and the imagery of family relationships is used to describe the union of God and man.

 The subject of Guru Granth Sahib is truth: how to become a 'person of truth', that is, an ideal person or gurmukh. As Guru Nanak had said, God is the Ultimate Truth and one has to cultivate those qualities which are associated with Him Through its teachings, the Granth enables men and women to lead a purposeful and rewarding life while being members of a society. It seeks universal peace and the good of all mankind. It does not criticise and talk of any other religion in derogatory terms It also stresses the democratic way of life and equality of all people, creeds and genders we are karam yogis, that is we reap what we sow. The emphasis is on moral actions, noble living and working for the welfare of all people.

Quotes from the Guru Granth Sahib

Honest Living and Labor : They who eat the fruit of their own labor and share with others are the people who have found the right way, O Nanak. Man becomes what he loves best. Equality of Gender: How can you call woman inferior, She is the one who gives birth to great men. Service : There can be no love of God without active service. When one does active service in this world, then alone he achieves salvation. Those who meditate on Him, serve humanity Unity of Mankind We all have common father, so we are all his children There is only one human race Truthful Living Truth is higher than everything, but higher still is truthful living Self Realization One who knoweth one's own self, recogniseth God By conquering the mind thou shalt conquer the whole world One who knoweth the meaning of soul, knoweth Supreme Essence On my soul thou hast emanated from the Light of God, know thy true essence The supreme lord is realizable within the soul

"Give up your selfishness, and you shall find peace; like water mingling with water, you shall merge in absorption." "True wealth does not burn; it cannot be stolen by a thief. " As she has planted, so does she harvest; such is the field of karma.